WHEREAS, Firefighter Vincent Neglia was raised in North Bergen, New Jersey, and graduated from North Bergen High School; and

WHEREAS, Vincent Neglia served for 23 years as a firefighter, 18 of them with the North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue Agency, and in 2001 assisted with ground zero recovery efforts following the terrorist attack on September 11 of that year; and

WHEREAS, on the morning of September 9, 2006, in Union City, Hudson County, Firefighter Neglia, at the age of 45, made the ultimate sacrifice, giving his life while racing into a burning apartment building to search for victims after having been advised that there were persons still inside the inferno; and

WHEREAS, Vincent Neglia's selfless devotion to public service and the protection of others makes him a hero and a true role model for all New Jerseyans and, therefore, it is appropriate and fitting for the State where he was raised to recognize his remarkable bravery and commitment to the welfare of others, to mark his untimely passing, to remember his family as they mourn their tragic loss, and to honor his memory;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JON S. CORZINE, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:

The flag of the United State of America and the flag of New Jersey will be flown at half-staff at all State departments, offices, agencies, and instrumentalities during appropriate hours on Thursday, September 14, 2006, in recognition of the life and in mourning of the passing of Firefighter Vincent Neglia.

This Order shall take effect immediately.

GIVEN, under my hand and seal this 13th day
of September,
Two Thousand and Six, and of
the Independence of the United States, the Two
Hundred and Thirty-First.